$2500 Car Audio System suggestions?

[4Exile]

You say no to JL, but say yes to Skar? Ugh...Kicker and JL actually have a line of fantastic products, sure you can obtain similar no problem, but please don't go and tell someone to look into Skar. At the very least recommend Sundown SA series or Obsidian OA series over Skar garbage. Also, if a fellow can find for instance some 12w6s or 12/13W7s, for a decent price, and/or say a Kicker _ _2500, then go for it. I would love to have a pair of Kicker's ZX2500s to replace my ol' Cactus 5k to change things up. And for a FANTASTIC balance of SQ and SPL, there isn't a single driver on the market (yet, but Jacob is closing in on that one //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif), that outperforms the W7 line.

Anyhow, my recommendations would be a 4ch amplifier of say PPI Phantom series and a decent set of components up front. You can get away with spending less than $200 for a lovely set. Be sure to obtain the speaker spacers or make some, because our stupid Rexes have like 2-2/3" of mouting depth for speakers up front lol. AGH! I hate that fact about our Scoobs.

Then a decent Class D monoblock amplifier. Depending on how "loud" you want to go, and how much power you want to run, a single matching PPI amplifier could be had for fairly inexpensive, then just add another when you want to go bigger. IIRC they have a nice 900Wrms or 1kWrms amplifier. Then, purchase some plans, or have somebody like myself and a bunch of others on the forums design and build you a proper enclosure for your woofers. That enclosure will play a HUGE portion in it all.

It would be a great idea to deaden a bit and moreover seal up those front doors, so your components can REALLY shine as well. Proper cabling is a must also. Depending on how much power you want to run in the end will decide whether or not you will need an alternator upgrade or not. The stock battery up front a quality "audio" type of battery in the rear will be enough to support lots 'o power just fine. If you want to runs lots of power, there are plenty of options out there for amplifiers as well, that are great quality and efficient. It just depends which woofers/power handling/what your entire goals in the end are. Seeing as how a properly done 1kW to 1.5kW can make tons of people bail out of a car, it all depends what you want.

You do not need to spend nearly the $2.5k you were thinking. Not even close. You could have a stupidly powerful and clean system for less than half of that I assure you.

Thank you for the heads up on the different mounting setup in the Subaru, is a 4 ch amplifier plus a Class D amplifier going to throw off my electrical system? I guess I'm accustomed to just running speakers off the HU. How hard is it to hook up a second battery in the rear and are there any downfalls to it?

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After looking I have found a few options that interest me, if I could get some input on them that would be great. Also, am I going too big with a 1.5k rms sub?

Build #1

Subwoofer:

Sundown Audio Z v3 15" Sub woofer 1500W RMS Subwoofer (Or should I wait for the Zv4 Series?)

Amp:

Sundown Audio SAZ-1500D v.3 or Sundown Audio SAZ-2500D v.2

Speakers:

Sundown Audio SA-6.5CS 6.5" Component Set

Build # 2

Subwoofer:

Fi Bl15 or 2 x Fi Bl10

Amp:

Crescendo Audio BC2000D - 2250 watts

Build #3

Subwoofer:

Incriminator Death Penalty 15 ( I couldn't find where to buy that Tantric Subwoofer)

Amp:

Incriminator Audio 20.1 Mono Block 1800W Amplifier

(The Sundown audio 6.5 speakers seem to be the best that I found, so they remain the same).

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Are there any recommended head units? This is mostly what I could find, Pioneer AVH-P6300BT, on crutchfield.

Also, is Stinger ok for cabling, that is sold at a local audio store here if it is?

Thanks again, all of you have been a great help so far.

Edit: Added another build, I will mix and match them if say a Sundown Subwoofer goes better with another amp etc. Also I found most of this through sound solutions audio, is that a pretty well known place on here?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Thank you for the heads up on the different mounting setup in the Subaru, is a 4 ch amplifier plus a Class D amplifier going to throw off my electrical system? I guess I'm accustomed to just ruining speakers off the HU. How hard is it to hook up a second battery in the rear and are there any downfalls to it?
------

After looking I have found a few options that interest me, if I could get some input on them that would be great. Also, am I going too big with a 1.5k rms sub?

Build #1

Subwoofer:

Sundown Audio Z v3 15" Sub woofer 1500W RMS Subwoofer (Or should I wait for the Zv4 Series?)

Amp:

Sundown Audio SAZ-1500D v.3

Speakers:

Sundown Audio SA-6.5CS 6.5" Component Set

Build # 2

Subwoofer;

Fi Bl15 or 2 x Fi Bl10

Amp:

Sundown Audio SAZ-1500D v.3

Speakers:

Sundown Audio SA-6.5CS 6.5" Component Set

------

Are there any recommended head units? This is mostly what I could find, Pioneer AVH-P6300BT, on crutchfield.

Also, is Stinger ok for cabling, that is sold at a local audio store here if it is?

Thanks again, all of you have been a great help so far.

both set ups are nice either way will be very good ,the wire is good to ,but your local shop will prolly charge way to much

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

Sounds like you've been listening to the Sundown nuthuggers.. Lol

 

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

Do yourself a favor. DO NOT get an 08. At least shoot for an 09-10.

08's are literally the worst year of subaru.

 

[4Exile]

Do yourself a favor. DO NOT get an 08. At least shoot for an 09-10.08's are literally the worst year of subaru.

I'm aware of that, I've looked, but there are no 09's remotely near here so I decided I will probably just Stage 2 it and be content.

 

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

I'm aware of that, I've looked, but there are no 09's remotely near here so I decided I will probably just Stage 2 it and be content.

If you can't find a 09 + get a 06-07.

08's had so many issues and you will regret it from day 1. All the people i knew that bought a 08 when it first came out brought it back to the dealership and traded it for a older one.

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

I like the clarion nx702 hu with backup cam it was 695.00 on eBay. I got it and installed. It works great. Has a very nice GPS and screen is 7"

 

[4Exile]

Is wiring a subwoofer like a SA 15 much different than a dual voice coil 4ohm Alpine Type R I wired in the past? If so how do I go about wiring it? Also, should I use a capacitor with this setup or are they frowned upon?

I apologize for my lack of experience in this field.

Thank you everyone for bearing with me.

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

Im sure its already been said but You can do two SA-10's or 12's fore the price of one w6 and get same if not better output. As far as the L7's I was on here last year when i got mine free and was convinced to get different subs and I went with the Sundown sd-2 10's and Im very glad I didnt keep my kickers. For 1500 you may be able to do whole *****. Definately spend themoney to up electrical some IO dont mean go over board but doing Big 3 upgrade and decent AGM battery will do wonders for your car. You may notice little extra pick up out of motor when you change the engineblock tochasis ground I have always done that system or not.

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

Is wiring a subwoofer like a SA 15 much different than a dual voice coil 4ohm Alpine Type R I wired in the past? If so how do I go about wiring it? Also, should I use a capacitor with this setup or are they frowned upon?
I apologize for my lack of experience in this field.

Thank you everyone for bearing with me.

Yes its a dual vc sub same steps just use 10 or 12 gauge wire. If you do Big 3 you shouldnt need a capacitor unless you like throwing money away. Can the cap and get yellow top battery thats enough.

As far as how you wire the SA 15 its depends on the amp If you get a D4 parallell at 2 ohms on single 15 1 ohm 2 15's or 2 ohm when series the coils and parallell the subs together.

 

[4Exile]

I decided on some things and yet am still undecided on a couple items. Also a change of vehicle, I'm looking to purchase a 2008 Subaru WRX hathback now, so that will open up a little room. I'd still like to have quite a bit of usable trunk space though, so will this all fit in a fairly small enclosure?

I'd like it to be able to get loud (hear down the block) occasionally, but the vast majority of my time will just be daily listening to music.

What are your thoughts on this setup?

Subwoofer:

Fi BL15 (Possibly 2 x 10's , not sure which is a better idea?)

Amp:

Crescendo Audio BC2000D or Stetsom 1K6 1780W Amplifier (Looks like it doesn't take up too much space.)

Wiring:

KnuKonceptz Kolossus Flex 0 Gauge Power Amp Wiring Kit

Speakers:

Sundown Audio SA-6.5CS 6.5" Component Set

Amp:

Incriminator Audio 5.1 450w

Head unit:

Clarion NX702

Thank you

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

I decided on some things and yet am still undecided on a couple items. Also a change of vehicle, I'm looking to purchase a 2008 Subaru WRX hathback now, so that will open up a little room. I'd still like to have quite a bit of usable trunk space though, so will this all fit in a fairly small enclosure?
I'd like it to be able to get loud (hear down the block) occasionally, but the vast majority of my time will just be daily listening to music.

What are your thoughts on this setup?

Subwoofer:

Fi BL15 (Possibly 2 x 10's , not sure which is a better idea?)

Amp:

Crescendo Audio BC2000D or Stetsom 1K6 1780W Amplifier (Looks like it doesn't take up too much space.)

Wiring:

KnuKonceptz Kolossus Flex 0 Gauge Power Amp Wiring Kit

Speakers:

Sundown Audio SA-6.5CS 6.5" Component Set

Amp:

Incriminator Audio 5.1 450w

Head unit:

Clarion NX702

Thank you

If you get 2 10s you'll have more room to get a bigger amp in the future. The 15 will be cheaper though and have plenty of output. I've heard of problems with Stetsom amps blowing.. Not sure if that's user error though. The Crescendo is a good choice along with the wiring. Don't forget to do the big 3 too!

 

[4Exile]

If you get 2 10s you'll have more room to get a bigger amp in the future. The 15 will be cheaper though and have plenty of output. I've heard of problems with Stetsom amps blowing.. Not sure if that's user error though. The Crescendo is a good choice along with the wiring. Don't forget to do the big 3 too!

Would I be underpowering 2 10's too much with just the single Crescendo amp? Also, will the 5.1 amp be enough for the speakers?

I will do the big 3 for sure and likely will swap the battery for a YellowTop. Do you expect dimming on a stock 110A alternator with just those upgrades, or do I need to add a HO alternator and second battery right off the bat?

You've been very helpful, thank you, I appreciate all your advice you have given!

I would also like to apologize for all my questions, I just don't want to screw up my first big entry into sound systems.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

Would I be underpowering 2 10's too much with just the single Crescendo amp? Also, will the 5.1 amp be enough for the speakers?
I will do the big 3 for sure and likely will swap the battery for a YellowTop. Do you expect dimming on a stock 110A alternator with just those upgrades, or do I need to add a HO alternator and second battery right off the bat?

You've been very helpful, thank you, I appreciate all your advice you have given!

I would also like to apologize for all my questions, I just don't want to screw up my first big entry into sound systems.

Don't apologize, I like seeing people try to learn instead of just saying "tell me what to do I'm lost"

As far as the YellowTop goes, they are the same battery as a Duracell AGM from SAMs club or an Oreilly SuperStart platinum, just more expensive because of the brand.

Under powering isn't really an issue, although you could get some different 10s if you're only going to be running 2000w.

And as far as the alternator and another battery go, it's hard to tell without testing the system first. Install everything and see if the headlights dim too much. Also get a voltmeter (Stinger makes good ones) and make sure your voltage isn't dropping below 12v.

 

[4Exile]

Ok thanks everyone, I think I will decide from there. I might take some pictures of the process and come back with any screw ups or things I learned, if anyone is interested in seeing how it turns out. It will likely be a little while before I get the car and everything ordered and installed.